Published 1 year ago
by
Sandy Schaefer
, Updated April 15th, 2014 at 11:18 am,

There’s a lot of anticipation surrounding the upcoming Godzilla (which topped our Most Anticipated Movies of 2014 countdown), given the high-pedigree of talent involved. That includes a cast with Aaron-Taylor Johnson (Kick-Ass 1&2), Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine), among others.

Last time the big lizard made a trip to North America, it was 1998 and he had Stargate and Independence Day co-writer Dean Devlin and co-writer/director Roland Emmerich serving as the tour guides. In 2014, the King of Monsters will be receiving a makeover from director Gareth Edwards (Monsters), drawing from a script that was written by Max Borenstein (Seventh Son) and received (uncredited?) revisions by Frank Darabont (creator of The Walking DeadTV show).

A new ET Canada set visit video released for Godzilla (see above) is composed of mostly fluff cast interviews, familiar trailer footage and glimpses at filming on a sequence where Cranston (playing Johnson’s father in the movie) is among the many people who are left badly injured by you-know-who’s latest rampage. However, Cranston does have an intriguing bit to offer, with regard to how Edwards’ intends to portray the creature:

“They’re taking a very restrained approach to this, much like ‘Jaws’ did. Steven Spielberg didn’t always show the beast [yet] the essence is present and it’s there and it’s moving [and] it’s creepy… So the tension is there, for sure.”

Spielberg’s decision to minimize the screen time for the “monster” (and maximize the atmospheric dread) in Jaws stemmed in no small part from the mechanical shark’s constant malfunctions, but that proved to be one of those blessings-in-disguise when it made the story even scarier and horrifying on a deeper psychological level. Edwards likewise showed little of the giant alien visitors in his indie breakout Monsters, in part due to budget restrictions – but also to generate a palpable atmosphere throughout the movie, similar to what Spielberg did on Jaws.

Arguably, one of the (few) things that Emmerich’s Godzilla managed all-right was the gradual build-up to the creature being unveiled onscreen; what came after, well, that’s another debate.

Anyway, the early footage for the 2014 reboot does indeed suggest that the film is very careful with how it shows (or, rather, doesn’t show) the main CGI attraction; there are financial benefits to keeping Godzilla offscreen (read: less animation = lower costs), but it can also have some important artistic effects, as mentioned before.

Such filmmaking technique provides additional reason to hope that Edwards’ reboot will possess the brains of the original Godzilla movie (a.k.a. Gojira) released in 1954 – serving as a big ol’ metaphor for natural disasters/warfare/etc. – and deliver the kind of epic moviegoing experience that people are hoping for, given the modern-day tentpole budget at its disposal. Plus, who knows, if Godzilla thrives at the box office, then maybe it’ll improve the chances of the proposed Pacific Rim sequel becoming a reality…

As long as we can actually get to see “Godzilla” in full-view, then I don’t see why this movie shouldn’t be a hit with the fans. Cloverfield was nice but too “documentaryish” and boring at times when nothing was happening.

I cant wait for Godzilla! easily my most anticipated film this year, would love to see a rematch with Destroyer but I doubt that will happen, I hope he fights another monster though, I hope they set up sequels for this and its not just a one off..

For what reason? I know it’s your opinion, but you can’t judge a book by its cover, you have to give this movie a chance, even if you’re not into Godzilla. Besides, it’s better to see another American made Kaiju flick than a comic book that you see every year.

For ”Jaws” you spent the first half of the movie getting to know the characters (Brody, Hooper, Quint) but you did get the presence and creepy presence of the shark and DID cause serious damage and death.

I believe that Godzilla 2014 will also do that for the first half of the movie.

The second half of ”Jaws” is when it really picks up, you see the shark and the chaos and action really begins. Godzilla 2014 will probably have the ”MUTOS and GODZILLA” both come out and meet in the final climax for an all out brawl.

I’m torn on this. On one hand, as a Godzilla fan since 73, I kinda want him to have a LOT of screen time. With Pacific Rim the best part was going to the movies and seeing giant, Big O style robots. On the other I appreciate good build-up. Maybe a half hour or so? No matter what though, I’ll be there.